Teens and Alcohol

TEENS AND ALCOHOL - IT'S A NO-BRAINER!

Deciding how or when its safe for our kids to be introduced to alcohol is the subject of much debate. In many cases, parents don’t have the luxury of choice as their teenagers are busy knocking it back while we’re trying to figure it out!

Brain imaging, a relatively new technology, has provided us with insight into the unique vulnerabilities as well as opportunities associated with the developing brain. We seem to be at the same point that we were when scientists realized how dangerous it was for pregnant women to drink alcohol at all. It would seem that the young teenage brain is just as vulnerable.

Most responsible parents have fears about drinking and driving, risky sexual behaviour, fights and alcohol-related accidents and so the debate has centered around these social and moral issues. However, ground-breaking research developments in the last 5 to 10 years would suggest that the debate needs to be a neuro-biological one and that there should be a sense of urgency.

Current research tells us we should be concerned about what may be happening to the teenager who drinks moderately or even a little. Our teens may be wired to drink excessively and impulsively and that this tendency may affect their intellectual and moral development and may predispose them to developing an addiction.

Advanced techniques in brain imaging have provided a window into the developing brain. There is evidence that the brain is not fully formed at the end of childhood as we had previously thought. It seems clear now that the juvenile brain is still maturing during the teenage years; and that reasoning and judgment only develop in the early and mid-twenties. (Giedd, 2004)

HOW DO WE  USE THIS MATERIAL TO KEEP TEENAGERS SAFE?
Because a teenager’s neurological make-up makes it difficult for them to make healthy choices, how do we, as parents, help them navigate this challenging period of their development? It’s tempting to keep them at home under lock and key until they’re 25!
 If that’s not a possibility you might try these listed below:

• Communication and open discussion, (listening to their point of view without interruption) about alcohol may diminish the chance that they will become alcohol abusers
• Messages that motivate adults may not work with teens. For example; the threat of long term consequences, like possible liver damage, will be less relevant than focusing on short-term rewards and punishment. E.g. If you drink and drive, you will not be able to use the car.
• Responsible parental behaviour around the use of alcohol may provide an example and a role-model for a teenager. For example: parents who are responsible about drinking and driving, who use alcohol appropriately and moderately, who do not use alcohol to relax or de-stress demonstrate healthy behaviour around alcohol.
• Be clear about under-age drinking and do not serve alcohol to under-age youth under any circumstances. Liaise with other parents and agree about parental policy.... present a united front!
• Create alcohol-free opportunities and activities in your home - safe places for teens to socialize.
• Be at home when your teen has a party. Make sure that alcohol has not been brought onto your premises. Do not have your own adult party at the same time. You may be less vigilant and careless and teens may use the opportunity to drink the ‘leftovers’.

This information has some pretty terrifying implications for our own brain development or lack thereof, especially for those of us who where children of the sixties!It may be too late for some of us but my hope is that by understanding the processes that are taking place neurologically and psycho-socially, parents will be better equipped to answer their own questions and help their teenaged
children safely navigate the challenges of adolescence.

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References:
ADOLESCENT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND DRUG ABUSE. Ken C. Winters, Ph.D. 2008
STRUCTURAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN. Giedd. J. N. (2004)
ALCOHOL AND THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN. Aaron M. White. PhD. (2004)
THE GRIM NEUROLOGY OF TEENAGE DRINKING. Katy Butler, July 4, 2006 . Time.